Environmental Optometry, 6 credits

Passed results of at least 45 credits from the Study Programme in Optometry semester 1 and 2.

Students who have failed their VIL (clinical training opportunity) after demonstrating serious deficiencies in understanding, skill, or professional attitude, and done this to the degree that client or patient safety or client/ patient/ employer trust for the healthcare have been jeopardised, will qualify for a new VIL opportunity only after completion of an individual action plan.

After the course, the student should be able to

1) list and describe physical, organisational and social working environment factors in the working life
2) describe and critically assess an employee's work station in terms of visual ergonomics
3) describe and critically assess the illumination conditions of a workplace.
4) evaluate the quality of a screen
5) comprise a critical examination of relations that influence the visual quality in relation to visual ergonomics, illumination and monitor quality and apply this to an improvement for the employee on the workplace
6) list and describe how optical radiation may cause damage to the eye and how to prevent/protect against it
7) prescribe and fit special correction in relation to occupational needs
8) be able to understand and apply legislation that regulates the field of occupational optometry.

In addition to the above the student should, in a level-suited optometry-, care- and scientific perspective, be able to
9) search, collect, and describe information in a presented problem, and discuss phenomena, issues and situations critically
10) independently identify, formulate and solve problems in writing, and carry out assignments within given time frames, and
11) formulate scientific text in writing.

Aim 9-11 should be seen in relation to the document "Vetenskaplig strimma Optikerprogrammet" (Scientific Streak in Optometry Program).

This course consists of the following components: laws regulating the field of workplace medicine; repetitive motion injuries; healthcare in Sweden; visual ergonomics and illumination; visual quality; computer screen quality and psychosocial workplace conditions. Various types of work stations is covered, such as working at a computer screen or monitor, working in office or in other occupational environments. The course also covers interaction between the ocular media and optical radiation, protective eyewear against optical radiation, and it contains clinical training opportunity (VIL).

In addition to this the course is part of the teaching of general scientific knowledge within the program. In relation to teaching of general scientific knowledge, the students continue to broaden their knowledge related to the scientific base of optometry, science and proven experience and scientific communication. They also develop their knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities, their judgement, scientific thought and attitude, in relation to optometry and a lifelong learning. The teaching of general scientific knowledge is described in a separate document.

A project work is included in the course with the intention to evaluate, understand and apply related legislation, visually ergonomic aspects of working environment and factors in organisational and social working environment, based on a scientific thought and attitude.

The project work consists of
- a working place visit with evaluation of the working environment with respect to the employee's background facts, repetitive strain status and visually ergonomic status based on the appearance of the workplace
- (when relevant) an evaluation of monitor/screen quality
- occupational adapted correction and in addition choice of occupational adapted correction glass type.

The course is divided in the following three modules:

The module includes VIL, portfolio, the project work and formative assessment of clinical proficiencies and patient care.

The module includes theoretical understanding and revenue of the topic-specific contents of the course.

The module includes assignments in KI's virtual learning environment, the scientific streak and written assignments.

The course comprises self-study, demonstrations, laboratory sessions, theoretical overviews (in the form of lectures, seminars, flipped-classroom, case methods), practical exercises and written assignments. The students are given a possibility to train practical skills but must take a great responsibility themselves.

Module 1, Clinical work, examines the learning outcomes 1 up to 8.
a) compulsory participation in patient care in connection with VIL
b) compulsory portfolio according to instructions
c) compulsory project work
d) compulsory seminars, laboratory sessions and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass.
The grade Pass requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 2, Theoretical understanding, examines the learning outcomes 1 up to 11.
a) written examination (Fail/Pass/Pass with distinction)
b) compulsory seminars, laboratory sessions and demonstrations as per schedule

The module is given the grade Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction.
The grade Pass requires Pass on written examination, and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.
Pass with distinction requires Pass with distinction on written examination, and fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Module 3, Scientific development, examines the learning outcomes 1-11.
a) compulsory written assignments according to instructions
b) compulsory presentation of project work
c) compulsory seminars, a part of the scientific streak of the programme

The module is given the grade Fail or Pass. Pass requires fulfillment of compulsory course elements.

Course grade
The entire course is given the grade Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
The grade Pass on the entire course requires Pass on all modules. Pass with distinction requires Pass on module 1 and 3, and Pass with distinction on module 2.

Absence from or unfullfillment of compulsory course element
The examiner decides whether, and if so how, absence from or unfulfillment of compulsory course elements can be made up for. Study results cannot be reported until the student has participated in or fulfilled compulsory course elements, or compensated for any absence/ failure to fulfill in accordance with instructions from the examiner. Absence from or unfulfillment of a compulsory course element may imply that the student can not retake the element until the next time the course is offered.

Limited access to VIL (clinical training opportunity)
Regarding VIL, the number of times a student has the right to participate/go through the course and thus be assessed on the same is not limited. However, participation in VIL will only be offered on the condition that there is a place available in the course.

Guidelines for canceling a VIL opportunity
The examiner may, with immediate effect, interrupt a student's clinical placement (or equivalent) if the student demonstrates such serious deficiencies in knowledge, skills or attitude that patient safety or patient confidence in healthcare is at risk. If a clinical placement is interrupted in this way the student is deemed to have failed that element and to have used up one clinical placement opportunity. In such cases, an individual action plan should be set up stating which activities and tests are required before the student is qualified for a new clinical placement on the course. The number of times a student has the right to undergo activities and knowledge checks according to the individual action plan is limited to two times.

Possibility of exception from the course syllabus' regulations on examination
If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.

If the course is cancelled or undertakes major revisions, you will find information on transition rules under this heading.

Course evaluation takes place according to guidelines established by Karolinska Institutet. Compilation of the students' answers in course questionnaires and the course coordinator's analysis of these are published on KI's public course web.

Some teaching may be in English.